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My Heart's Lament

Very beautiful and emotional piano playing at its best. Tender music for your heart and soul. Full of musical moments of deep romanticism. A few tracks from "New Jazz Piano Adventures" are included on this CD.

Genre: Easy Listening: Mature

Release Date: 2006

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ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

The Buddha said that we are never separated from enlightenment. Even at the times we feel most stuck, we are never alienated from the awakened state. This is a revolutionary assertion. Even ordinary people like us with hang-ups and confusion have this mind of enlightenment called bodhichitta. An analogy for bodhichitta is the rawness of a broken heart. This is our link with all those who have ever loved. This genuine heart of sadness can teach us great compassion. It can humble us when we're arrogant and soften us when we are unkind. It awakens us when we prefer to sleep and pierces through our indifference. This continual ache of the heart broken open is a blessing that when accepted fully can be shared with all. (from Pema Chodron, book "Comfortable with Uncertanity.")

Steve August, is an eclectic pianist with strengths in both the Jazz and Classical idioms. He is a composer and arranger and author lives in beautiful Northern Michigan and has performed in the area for over 20 years in clubs, resorts and in concerts. He performs often in a solo as well as a group setting. He has performed with many of his own Jazz trios and Jazz Quartets and as a sideman in various settings. He recently achieved a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies performance degree from Western Michigan University. He performs often on Mackinac Island, Michigan in the summer months for Weddings and Receptions in this highly romantic setting depicted in the movie "Somewhere in Time."

In addition to performing Steve is a very active teacher and educator. His studio schedule is full with many aspiring pianists, bassists and those seeking greater musical understanding of the inner workings of music making. Steve started the annual SUMMER JAZZ weekly workshop for Jazz Education in Northern Michigan. This workshop is open to all levels and all instruments in Northern Michigan during the summer months. Watch for details on this workshop.

I wish I was formal student of music to understand the technical intricacies of Steve's music. His ability to improvise on the piano is truly amazing -- music is the very fiber of his being. His music is suitable for both intense, careful listening as well as serving as background for my home office labors. You will not be disappointed.

“My Heart’s Lament” by Steve August houses track after track of awe-inspiring instrumental piano compositions. Raw emotion and free-flowing melodies best characterize Steve’s approach to piano playing. The tracks highlight Steve's amazing skill on the piano and offer a creative blend of contemporary, classical and jazz styles. “Open Intervals” carries quite the angelic soundscape, starting off quiet and heart-felt, and rising to a divine climax. Not confined by rigid structure and repetition, Steve’s style facilitates the expression of intense emotion very well. This is best demonstrated in the free-spirited track entitled “Close to the Edge.” Moreover, “Quiet Echos of Chopin” breaks away from the other tracks, utilizing the mystical sounds of chimes and high-pitched strings. This collection demonstrates Steve’s ingenuity as a piano composer, and is more than worth a listen.